Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 183

Magnus had barely finished speaking.

A flicker of hurt flashed in Isadora's eyes.

She wondered if she'd lost her mind-why else would she let herself hope, even

for a second, that Magnus might choose her this time?

But Elise's eyes lit up with triumph. The corners of her lips curled into a sly, satisfied smile as she shot Isadora a sideways glance. That look said everything: "Isadora, you'll always be the loser here."

The kidnappers dragged Elise forward. One of them quickly stooped to scoop up the bag of cash, then shoved her ahead.

The moment they loosened their grip, Elise darted straight into Magnus's arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and buried her head in his chest. "Magnus, thank you I knew you'd never abandon me," she whispered.

Magnus stood stiffly, arms hanging rigid at his sides, radiating a barely contained fury. He didn't return Elise's embrace; his fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened.

In that instant, he thought he saw a fleeting mix of scorn and disappointment in Isadora's gaze.

Magnus's heart had never hurt like this. It felt as if a blade had been driven straight through it, leaving him raw and trembling, his whole body wracked with pain.

of finality, that he

exchanged a quick glance, then dragged Isadora back toward

fast. The kidnappers knew the area

the sight of thick bundles of

stumbled as they pulled her along, her hands twisting against the ropes, mind racing for any way

shadows with Isadora, then turned to Gideon. "Take care of Elise!" he ordered, thrusting her into Gideon's arms before sprinting after them without

wait-Magnus...!" Elise called after

cold, dismissive laugh. "Let him go. If all he finds is a corpse, wouldn't that be

promised: after they got their money, they'd

then leaned gently against Gideon's shoulder. "Thank you, Gideon. I won't forget everything you've done for me. You're the

words, Gideon felt that all the scheming and risk had been worth it. He wrapped his arms tightly around Elise, breathing in the sweet scent of

*

side of the

up," one kidnapper snapped, yanking on the rope around

sneered. "Magnus passed you over, not once

Elise and Gideon: once they got paid, Isadora was as good as dead. Still, now that they saw her up close-so pretty and delicate they almost

men hustled her beneath a sprawling old tree, far from the main path, and